Jacksonville Jaguars
Southern Draft
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 NFL Draft starts April 24, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. We are going to take a look around the AFC South and see what position each team should address in the first round.
Tennessee (3-14): The Titans are tied with Cleveland and the New York Giants for the worst record in the NFL. That earned them the first pick in the 2025 draft.
Quarterback Will Levis was drafted in the 2nd round, No. 33 by the team in 2023. He started the season opener and for a total of twelve games.
He passed for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and he completed 63% of his passes. He showed that he takes risks and throws bad interceptions. I think Tennessee has to look at their QB of the future.
The most likely candidate to pick is Cam Ward (Miami). This year’s quarterback class is considered weak but Ward is the best in this class.
He transferred from Washington State and played great at Miami. He threw for 4,313 yards, 39 TD’s, 7 interceptions and completed 67% of his passes.
He also rushed for 204 yards and 4 scores. Ward won the Davey O’Brien Award (2024), Manning Award (2024), ACC Player of the Year (2024) and Consensus All-American (2024).
Jacksonville (4-13): The Jags need help on the defensive line or in the secondary. They have the fifth pick so I think they will draft a pass rusher.
The best pick is Abdul Carter (Penn State). He was an off-ball linebacker his first two years before he was moved to edge rusher for the 2024 season.
In 2024 he had 43 solo tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Carter was a Unanimous All-American (2024), Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2024) and two-time first-team All-Big Ten (2023, 2024).
He’s 6’3 and 259 pounds so he has great size and speed. He’s a great athlete that could have an immediate impact like another Penn State pass rusher has recently, Micah Parsons.
Indianapolis (8-9): The Colts were only one game under .500 so they are close to becoming a playoff team. They have the No. 14 pick.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson was drafted 4th in the 2023 draft. In his two seasons he has only played in 15 games. They are really hoping he can stay healthy and make a drastic leap going into his third season.
Indy can go in a couple of different directions with this pick. They could select an offensive lineman or defensive back.
If they pick a lineman it could be inside offensive lineman Armand Membou (Mizzou). He was a tackle at Missouri but he’s 6’3 and 332 pounds so he’s not the ideal size for an NFL tackle. He will probably be moved inside to guard.
If they pick a DB safety Malaki Starks (Georgia) might be the pick. He’s very smart and athletic so he would be a great fit.
Houston (10-7): The Texans were very inconsistent but they still won the division and a playoff game. Second year QB CJ Stroud regressed and the offensive line did a bad job protecting him. They can address the offensive line, defensive line or add a weapon on offense. They are picking No. 25.
I think they might draft guard Grey Zabel (North Dakota State). He’s listed as 6’6, 305 lbs. and he’s a two-time FCS national champion. He was also named first-team FCS All-American (2024).
New Direction
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Liam Coen was recently formally introduced as the Jacksonville Jaguars newest head.
During the press conference, he addressed the whirlwind of speculation from last week; he was set to return to Tampa Bay as the Buc’s offensive coordinator — with a substantial raise to keep him put.
The next day, Coen attended a clandestine meeting with the Jaguars that ultimately led to him accepting the team’s head coach position.
“The opportunity to coach in Tampa was a phenomenal one to get my feet wet in the NFL as an offensive coordinator and I thank them so much for that opportunity,” Coen said.
“As you continue to do more research and gain more information as you go, it started to become more clear with every hour that this was an opportunity that you just can’t pass up for so many different reasons. Ultimately, you want to do what is best for you and your family. That is what this came down to.I will always love and remember those guys in Tampa — my players, those guys, love them to death — but this is an opportunity to also go do it with new guys and go reach and touch people because that’s what coaching and teaching is and that’s what this opportunity is all about. Head and eyes up and moving forward.”
From when Coen was set to return to Tampa Bay to when he accepted the Jaguars job, one major change occurred in Jacksonville. Jacksonville fired their General Manager. Coen said the Jag’s decision had nothing to do with his decision.
“This was completely about an opportunity to work for an owner and a group of people with a group of players that needed some help,” Coen said. “That is what coaching is. Coaching is all about going to help people and be around people. That (the GM dismissal) was not a factor.”
Owner Shad Khan said Coen stood out from the opening round of interviews and finding a guide for quarterback Trevor Lawrence was paramount.
“This wasn’t a moment of regret for the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Khan said of the coaching search. “This was a moment of progress, optimism and confidence that we will achieve the ultimate goal as long as we have the right man. And that man was Liam Coen. Why? Liam’s outstanding body of work speaks for itself. Quarterback development is the bedrock of modern NFL and Liam has delivered that wherever he’s coached.”
In Jacksonville, Coen inherits a team coming off a 4-13 season and is two seasons removed from winning the AFC South and reaching the divisional round of the playoffs. That playoff victory came in Doug Pederson’s first of three seasons as coach before his firing.
Coen has a roster that features QB Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., and defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. The team also holds the Number 5 pick in this year’s Draft.
“This is not a four-win team,” Coen said. “Yes, that is the record (from last year) but this is not a four-win team. How do we go from winning games to not losing them? I think that is something we’ve got to address. That has to be in our veins, in our DNA and in our culture of winning. I’ve learned it from the Los Angeles Rams and a ton of other great organizations of how to go and win football games. That’s something we have to start as a team, as a group and show how we are going to do it.”
Coen confirmed Monday that he will call the plays as head coach.
Khan said that the next priority is to build out Coen’s staff, giving every indication that he is not in a rush to hire a new general manager. He did, however, ensure the team would have one announced by Feb. 28. Assistant general manager Ethan Waugh is serving as the team’s interim general manager.
Coen will have a strong voice in the hiring of the next general manager. His main task on the field is maximizing Lawrence’s skills.
By today’s standards, Lawrence is a below average QB. Coen’s success will depend on if he make Lawrence a high performer, or at least a solid QB.
The Fall Guy
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The NFL regular season is over and coaches are starting to get fired as a result. Let’s talk about the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville fired head coach Doug Pederson after going 4-13. They have lost 18 of their past 23 games. He did go 9-8 in his first two seasons before the bottom fell out in 2024. His record in Jacksonville is 22-29.
“I had the difficult task this morning of informing Doug Pederson of my intention to hire a new head coach to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars,” owner Shad Khan said in a statement.
“Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career, and I will be rooting for Doug and his wife Jeannie when that occasion arrives. As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded. In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now.”
The Jags have retained General Manager Trent Baalke who is entering the final year of his contract. I do raise an eyebrow when only the head coach is fired from a losing team but the GM keeps his job. I view them as a package deal because the GM assembled the subpar roster that could not win games.
Khan will be looking for his sixth head coach since he purchased the team in November 2011 and assumed control in 2012.
Currently the other teams searching for a new head coach are the New York Jets, Chicago, New England and New Orleans. Out of these openings I think Jacksonville is the fourth best job with New Orleans being last.
This next year will be very important because we may finally have to look at quarterback Trevor Lawrence to see if he is a franchise QB. He was considered a generational talent when he was drafted #1 in the 2021 draft.
The Jags were 1-15 the previous year and they hired Urban Meyer for his first NFL head coaching position. They were 2-11 under Meyer before he was fired December 16, 2021. We don’t hold Lawrence’s rookie season against him.
His best season was his second year when he passed for 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension, including $142 million guaranteed on June 14, 2024. That tied Joe Burrow as the highest paid player in NFL history at the time of the signing.
Lawrence has dealt with injuries this season, which include a significant AC joint sprain and a concussion so he only played in ten games. With that being said, he did not perform like Burrow in the games he did play.
Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was great. He had 87 receptions, 1,282 yards and 10 TD’s.
The defense is ranked 31st in yards allowed per game (389.9) and last in passing yards allowed per game (257.4). On offense they were 25th in yards per game (305.8).
The top coaching candidate is Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. They just secured the top seed in the NFC so they might make a deep playoff run.
Todd Monken, the Ravens offensive coordinator is also someone to look at.
Detroit’s defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady are two more names to consider.
It will be interesting to see who the Jags hire and if they can quickly make them a contender.
Failed Expectations
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Doug Pederson’s time with the Jacksonville Jaguars has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
In his first season, Pederson turned things around, taking the Jaguars to the playoffs and winning the AFC South. Expectations were sky-high heading into last season, especially with Jacksonville starting strong at 8-3 and aiming for the AFC’s top playoff spot.
But things took a big turn after a Monday Night Football loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in December 2023, which kicked off a painful slump.
Since then, the Jaguars have gone 3-13, leaving them with a rough 2-8 record this season and at the bottom of the league.
Pederson’s job security is definitely under the microscope now as Jacksonville has struggled in clutch situations. He’s sitting on one of the hottest seats in the NFL, especially since the Jaguars have a frustrating 1-6 record in one-score games this season.
Ownership had touted this roster as possibly the “best Jaguars team ever,” but right now, the team’s record looks a lot like the Urban Meyer disaster, with losses piling up fast.
Their recent loss to the Minnesota Vikings kind of sums up the season.
Jacksonville got off to a good start thanks to a strong defensive showing, picking off Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold three times in the red zone and preventing Minnesota from scoring an offensive touchdown.
But the offense couldn’t get going. Backup quarterback Mac Jones, in for the injured Trevor Lawrence, put up only 143 total yards and turned the ball over three times in the last seven minutes, leading to a heartbreaking 12-7 defeat.
Historically, no team has lost a game with stats like that, where they allowed zero offensive touchdowns and forced three interceptions.
Pederson is doing his best to keep morale up, reminding the team of the chances they still have and focusing on the positives.
He’s aware of Jones’s mistakes but remains confident in the young quarterback, hoping he’ll improve with more time on the field.
At the same time, Pederson has a tough call to make: should he play Lawrence, who’s dealing with a shoulder injury, or sit him to protect his long-term health, especially in a season where the Jaguars’ playoff chances are down to just 2%?
Looking ahead, Jacksonville faces a tough road game against the 8-1 Detroit Lions before hitting their much-needed bye week.
A loss to Detroit could all but guarantee a losing season and increase speculation about Pederson’s future. Jaguars owner Shad Khan has been patient in the past, but he hasn’t hesitated to cut ties with underperforming leaders, like Gus Bradley in 2016, GM Dave Caldwell in 2020, and EVP Tom Coughlin in 2019.
This track record raises the stakes for Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, who’s been criticized for putting together a roster that looks good on paper but isn’t translating to sustained success on the field.
Even with everything going on, Pederson insists the team hasn’t quit. He stays optimistic, pointing out that the division is still within reach and that there are chances to build momentum. The players are still fighting hard, but the team’s struggles to close out games have cast doubt over their future.
Lawrence’s possible return after the bye could be a boost, but Jacksonville’s ongoing problems are sparking questions about where the franchise is headed.
For now, Mac Jones will make his second start in place of Lawrence against Detroit.
Jones, who came over from the Patriots in a trade, will try to rebound from a rough first game. His recent struggles as a starter in New England left him with limited experience, but Pederson is hopeful he can bring some stability to the offense while Lawrence recovers.
As the Jaguars approach the back half of the season, Pederson’s tenure is at a crucial point. Once seen as the team’s savior, he’s now under heavy scrutiny.
His future—and that of Baalke and Jacksonville’s once-promising roster—are all hanging in the balance as the Jaguars try to get back on track in a season that’s been full of setbacks and missed expectations.
Changes?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars are facing turbulent times, with questions swirling around their quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the overall direction of the team.
Following a brutal 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, head coach Doug Pederson admitted that significant changes might be necessary to reverse the Jaguars’ fortunes, which could even involve a potential shift at quarterback.
After the blowout, Pederson emphasized the need for adjustments across the board, from play design to personnel, saying, “everything’s on the table.”
Pederson, however, remained vague about whether Trevor Lawrence’s position as the starter could be affected, particularly noting the importance of considering injuries and performance as the team evaluates potential changes. While Pederson didn’t definitively commit to benching Lawrence, his noncommittal response indicated that no position is safe as the team seeks answers.
The need for change is clear. Through Week 3, the Jaguars have one of the league’s worst offenses, averaging a mere 13.3 points per game, their lowest point production since 2013.
On the defensive side, the team is giving up 361 yards per game while struggling to create turnovers and generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. With only five sacks and no forced turnovers, the defense has failed to complement an already sputtering offense.
The schedule doesn’t provide much breathing room, either. The Jaguars face the Houston Texans next on a short week, setting up the possibility of a dreaded 0-4 start, something the franchise has endured five times in its history.
The matchup against a rising division rival makes the upcoming game even more critical, as Jacksonville’s window to salvage the season narrows.
Pederson also addressed concerns about his own job security following the humiliating loss to Buffalo. While he indicated that those conversations remain private, he assured reporters that team owner Shad Khan has been “very supportive” during the team’s struggles.
Despite the looming pressure, Pederson remains focused on making the necessary adjustments to turn the season around.
Monday’s game was nothing short of a disaster for Jacksonville, as the team was thoroughly outclassed by the Bills. Buffalo scored on its first six drives, including touchdowns on all five of its first-half possessions, leaving Jacksonville in a 34-3 hole by halftime.
Despite entering the game with high hopes after two narrow losses to AFC opponents, the Jaguars found themselves overwhelmed from the start. Pederson was candid in his assessment, calling the result “shocking” and admitting, “this is who we are right now.”
While Buffalo’s offense flourished, Jacksonville’s offense floundered. Trevor Lawrence struggled mightily, going 21-of-38 for 178 yards with one touchdown, four sacks, and a costly interception.
Lawrence was replaced by backup Mac Jones late in the game after a thoroughly underwhelming performance. The offense as a whole could not find any rhythm, managing just 239 total yards and converting only two of 13 third-down attempts.
Despite a massive contract extension in the offseason, Lawrence has yet to deliver the performances expected of him, and the Jaguars’ faith in their franchise quarterback is beginning to waver.
As the Jaguars sit winless at 0-3, the optimism that surrounded the team before the season is quickly evaporating. The franchise, which has lost eight straight games dating back to last season, is spiraling out of playoff contention.
Jacksonville owner Shad Khan had declared the 2024 team as the best ever assembled under his ownership, but the early returns suggest otherwise.
Still, there’s a narrow path to redemption. Jacksonville faces back-to-back divisional matchups against the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts, both of which offer the opportunity to reset the season.
However, if the Jaguars are to capitalize on this opportunity, they must correct their numerous flaws and deliver a complete performance, something that has eluded them so far.
“No one’s going to feel sorry for us,” Pederson said. “This is who we are right now, and it’s not very good.” Lawrence echoed his coach’s sentiment, admitting that, “No one’s coming to save us.” The Jaguars will need to save themselves, starting now.
Bright Spots
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In a thrilling Week 1 showdown, the Miami Dolphins secured a dramatic 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, thanks to a clutch 52-yard field goal by Jason Sanders as time expired.
The win, which marked Miami’s fourth consecutive season-opening triumph, was propelled by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who threw for 336 yards and a touchdown.
Tagovailoa also orchestrated a late-game, eight-play drive to set up Sanders’ game-winning field goal, showcasing his poise under pressure.
Tyreek Hill emerged as one of the game’s key players, despite chaotic hours before kickoff that included being briefly detained by the Miami-Dade Police Department as a result of a driving incident.
He finished the day with seven catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Hill was a consistent playmaker throughout, moving the chains three times and forcing four missed tackles. His ability to gain big yards after the catch was pivotal, as he hauled in two catches of 15 yards or more, while averaging an impressive 3.58 yards per route run. Hill’s efforts were also reflected in the passer rating of 123.3 when Tagovailoa targeted him.
Despite the loss, the Jacksonville Jaguars left the game with some bright spots, particularly from young players and new additions.
Second-year running back Tank Bigsby had a standout performance, showcasing his explosiveness and decisiveness. Bigsby forced four missed tackles, more than any other Jaguars rusher, and hinted at a potential one-two punch with Travis Etienne in the backfield.
Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. also made an immediate impact in his NFL debut. The Jags rookie and first-round draft pick, who was covered by Dolphins star cornerback Jalen Ramsey for much of the game, demonstrated why he’s drawing so much attention.
Thomas caught four passes for 47 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown that gave the Jaguars a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. His ability to draw a 40-yard pass interference penalty earlier in the game helped set up Jacksonville’s first score.
On the defensive side, linebacker Devin Lloyd was another Jaguar whose stock rose after Week 1. Lloyd displayed improved decision-making and played a critical role in stopping Miami’s run game.
Meanwhile, Darnell Savage, in his first start at nickel for Jacksonville, put together a solid performance, allowing just four receiving yards on five targets while forcing two incompletions.
However, not everything went smoothly for the Jaguars. Travis Etienne, the team’s top running back, had a tough outing, particularly with a costly third-quarter fumble that significantly shifted momentum.
Although Etienne has been a major contributor to Jacksonville’s offense, Bigsby’s emergence may lead to a more shared workload in the future.
Defensive struggles also plagued the Jaguars, with Antonio Johnson missing three tackles in his first start of the season.
On the offensive line, the team’s top pass blocker from last year, Anton Harrison, gave up four pressures and showed some rust after an injury-limited preseason.
Ultimately, the Jaguars’ inability to capitalize on a 17-7 lead and their lack of offensive rhythm in the second half contributed to the loss.
After producing 162 yards and 17 points in the first half, Jacksonville failed to score after halftime and managed just six second-half first downs.
QB Trevor Lawrence, in his first regular season game since signing a five year, $275M contract extension, acknowledged the missed opportunities, citing the need for more consistent execution, particularly in critical moments.
In the end, the Dolphins’ defense stood tall in the second half and was too much for Jacksonville to overcome.
The Keys To Success?
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Despite the disappointing way their 2023 season ended, the Jacksonville Jaguars 100% believe they will be back in the mix for an AFC South championship this season.
After losing five of six games to finish 9-8 and cede the division crown to the Houston Texans (10-7), the Jags knew big changes were needed.
Head coach Doug Pederson hired a new defensive staff, while general manager Trent Baalke targeted veteran leaders from winning franchises in free agency to improve the locker room’s ability to withstand adversity.
Afterward, the Jaguars handed out big-money extensions to a trio of their best players: quarterback Trevor Lawrence, pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen, and (most recently) cornerback Tyson Campbell.
Lawrence played well during the Jags’ 8-3 start to 2023 before he was slowed by a barrage of injuries; including a high ankle sprain, a concussion, and an AC sprain in his right shoulder.
That’s why getting Lawrence healthy and keeping him healthy is No. 1 on the Jags’ list of things to do to improve this season. Everyone knows a healthy Lawrence will go a long way in keeping them in the heat of the playoff race.
“He was in a really good place (before the injuries),” Pederson said. “The injuries did take a toll on him toward the back half of the season. He wasn’t the same quarterback. (In the first half), he was making good decisions. He was taking care of the football. We were helping him as an offense, too. Everybody was involved. One guy can’t do it all, and we don’t ask him to do it all.”
On the other side of the ball, the Jaguars are expected to take a big step forward on defense. After the season, Pederson fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and replaced him with former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen; a fiery personality who led an aggressive pass rush with the Falcons and New Orleans Saints.
The Jaguars then hung with the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Lawrence finished seventh in the MVP voting and earned his first Pro Bowl nod.
They also have to be less charitable with the pigskin. The Jaguars’ whopping 30 turnovers last season were the fifth-most in the NFL. They lost the turnover battle nine times during their last four losses, which stings considering they finished a game shy of Houston.
The hope of next year is to heighten the intensity around Hines-Allen, edge rusher Travon Walker and key free-agent pickup, defensive tackle Arik Armstead.
As the team-building process began, they zeroed in on players with proven reputations as leaders who have histories as winners. It led them to guys like Armstead (previously with the San Francisco 49ers, cornerback Darnell Savage (Green Bay Packers), center Mitch Morse and Gabe Davis (Buffalo Bills).
Remember, the Jaguars were 15-5, including the playoffs, from Week 12 in 2022 to Week 12 in 2023. They believe they’re closer to that team than the one that both literally and figuratively limped down the stretch.
If their offseason plan pans out, they might be able to prove that.
Fine Print
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Is Trevor Lawrence’s new deal as record breaking as it seems?
When it comes to NFL contracts, the big numbers you see in the headlines are often misleading.
Take Trevor Lawrence’s new deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, for example. His five-year extension, worth $275 million, certainly grabbed attention. But, as usual with NFL contracts, the real story is in the fine print.
Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ star quarterback, just signed a massive contract extension, but the numbers aren’t as straightforward as they appear.
The deal, which includes $200 million in guarantees and $142 million fully guaranteed, averages out to $55 million a year. This seemingly ties him with Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals for the highest annual salary in the league. Yet, when you dig deeper, the deal isn’t as stellar as it seems.
Former Packers executive Andrew Brandt explains that to understand an NFL contract’s true value, you need to focus on the yearly cash flow, not just the headline numbers.
In his analysis, Lawrence’s contract doesn’t compare favorably to other top quarterbacks. For instance, in the first year of his new deal, Lawrence will pocket $39 million. While that’s no small change, it’s much less than the $80 million-plus that quarterbacks like Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson will earn.
Even after two years, Lawrence’s $76.5 million trails behind guys like Jackson and Burrow, who will rake in $111 million over the same period.
Over three and four years, this trend continues, with Lawrence making $114 million and $155 million, respectively, while others are pulling in significantly more, such as Jackson, who will make $207 million, and Burrow, who will earn $181 million over the same periods.
So, even though Lawrence’s contract looks record-breaking at first glance, it’s actually on the lower end compared to other recent quarterback deals when you look at the cash he’ll earn in the first few years.
This deal ties Lawrence to the Jaguars until 2030, giving him a solid financial foundation but not as much upfront cash as his peers.
For 2023, under his rookie contract, he only made $1.5 million. From 2026, his new contract will start paying out more substantially. It includes a $37.5 million signing bonus and guarantees that balance his financial security with the team’s salary cap.
There’s also a $35 million guaranteed option bonus in 2025 and 2026. The deal includes a no-trade clause and a potential out in 2029, making it more player-friendly.
Lawrence, picked first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, has been the face of the Jaguars and a crucial player for them. He’s racked up over 11,700 passing yards and 58 touchdowns, ranking fourth in franchise history for both stats. He’s been a team captain each year and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2022 after throwing for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. In 2023, he kept up his strong performance with another solid season.
The Jaguars clearly see Lawrence as their guy for the long haul, hoping he’ll lead them to future success, maybe even a Super Bowl.
For Lawrence, this big contract is both a financial win and a sign of his commitment to the team. Despite the pressure of such a huge deal, he’s focused on playing well and helping the Jaguars achieve their goals.
Ultimately, while the headline figures of Lawrence’s new contract seem huge, a closer look shows it’s less impressive when compared to other recent quarterback deals. The NFL’s funny money game continues, where contracts aren’t always what they seem at first glance.
It’s been a busy and eventful offseason for the quarterback. In addition to the recent news of the contract extension, Lawrence and his wife, Marissa, announce last week that they are expecting their first child.
Dreamers
By: Jeff Doke
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Summer is the time of dreams for NFL fans.
Dreams of the upcoming season, of brilliant rookie performances, of notable veteran development, of free agent deals justified by on-field production. And if the fans truly dare to dream, there are dreams of championships.
Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars are used to dreaming, and yes, having those dreams shattered.
For the 2024 season, there’s lots for DUUVAL Nation to ponder. Quite possibly the biggest item on the list is the recent multi-million-dollar contract extension for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
This year was to be his last of his rookie contract, and the steps backwards he took last season had a growing minority of pundits questioning whether or not #16 truly is the “generational talent” we’ve been told that he is. General Manager Trent Baalke disagreed and rewarded Lawrence with the T-1st largest QB contract in the league.
I, like many Jags fans, have given Trevor a pass in the previous years due to his disastrous rookie year under Urban Meyer, but as the seasons mount, it becomes harder and harder to use that excuse. A healthy, productive, not-turnover-riddled season would be just what the doctor ordered.
Improved performance from the offensive line would help that tremendously. Cam Robinson, Brandon Scherff, and Anton Harrison are all returning, as is Ezra Cleveland, who re-signed with the team after coming over from the Vikings in a late-season trade.
The lone OL free-agent signing is ex-Bills center Mitch Morse, which means the pieces should be in place for a squad that needs to reduce the number of sacks allowed from last year (35) as well as improving run lanes for 1000-yard rusher RB Travis Etienne.
The flashiest additions come from the receivers. With Calvin Ridley putting up a less-than-expected one-and-done season, the Jags went heavy on the upgrades to the wideouts.
After signing field-stretching veteran Gabe Davis and using the 23rd overall pick in the draft to select LSU speedster Brian Thomas, Jr, the core starters (with returning WR Christian Kirk and TE Evan Engram) seem to be in place for a much more explosive air assault.
While many put a lot of the blame for the 2023 late-season collapse on the offense, the defense was greatly responsible as well, if not more so.
The front office saw that, overhauling most of the defensive coaching staff in the offseason, starting with bringing in former Falcons DC Ryan Nielsen. His four-man rush and press coverage heavy style will suit Josh Allen and Travon Walker well.
Adding former ‘Niners DT Arik Armstead in free agency will help the lackluster run defense of last season.
One area of concern on the defensive side is the secondary. CB Tyson Campbell spent most of last season battling a hamstring injury, and Coach Nielsen’s defensive style will expect a lot out of him as well as newly acquired undrafted free agent Ronald Darby.
While it’s true that last year’s squad continued to be among the best at forcing turnovers, the run defense has to get better in order to avoid the kind of collapse suffered in 2023.
Special teams are rarely a concern with the Jaguars, but that’s not the case this time around. After the PR disaster that is the Brandon McManus saga, Jacksonville decided to take the rookie route for their PK, selecting Razorback alum Cam Little in the 6th round of the draft.
All in all, the upcoming season is one of promise for the teal and black.
How the team delivers on those promises might mean it will be a season of dreams come true for a fan base far more familiar with nightmares over the last 20 seasons.
Missed Mark?
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I was underwhelmed by the Jaguars’ draft in Rounds 2-7, but I love what they did in Round 1 by trading back and adding a high-ceiling receiver.
After the Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley, they reexamined their options and were able to land Thomas, who has size and speed. His route running needs work, but that is due mostly to inexperience, not lack of ability .
Thomas may fit Jax’s offense better than Ridley did. As a rookie Thomas might not be as productive as Ridley, (2023 season:76 receptions, 1,016 yards), but Thomas gives the Jaguars a true big-body X receiver who can stretch the field. Ridley was miscast last season for a Jags team that needed a player like Thomas.
He struggled to get off press coverage on the outside and win consistently on fade routes — two skills that Thomas mastered at LSU.
The Jags needed a lot of defensive line help, but it was surprising that they took LSU’s Mason Smith with the No. 48 pick. The 6-5, 305-pound Smith is a former five-star recruit, but he was sidelined by injury for a big chunk of his career in Baton Rouge.
Making matters tougher, he had six defensive line coaches in his three years and four in the past year. Smith has intriguing potential, evoking some visions of Leonard Williams, right now Smith’s future looks cloudy with high risk.
It’s worth noting new Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is a protege of former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, who recruited Smith to Baton Rouge.
Former Tigers defensive coordinator Matt House is also now on the Jacksonville staff too. One of the concerns about Smith is he plays with high pad level; he needs to get low and become more physical.
“He is a boom-or-bust,” an NFL D-line coach told me earlier this month. “In his defense, there is still a lot of football in him. He’s played 976 snaps in three years. 17 starts. He’s got everything you want.”
Javon Foster was a worthwhile swing to take, even if an offensive tackle isn’t a glaring need for Jacksonville. Foster needs to continue honing his footwork and technique, but he moves well with the length and play strength to match up in the NFL. He looks to be a valuable swing tackle and, down the line, maybe more.
Draft Picks:
Brian Thomas Jr. WR. LSU
Mason Smith. DT. LSU
Jarrion Jones, CB. FSU
Javon Foster, OT, Missouri
Jordan Jefferson, DT. LSU
Deantre Prince, CB, Ole Miss
Keilan Robinson, RB, Texas
Cam Little K, Arkansas
Myles Cole, Edge, Texas Tech
The Jags will round out their rosters with undrafted free agents. The puzzles largely have been put together. The experimentation will begin when minicamps and offseason practices begin. And some questions will remain unanswered until training camp, the preseason, and opening weekend kickoff.
But for now, my evaluation is the Jags fell short in their quest to position themselves as championship contenders.
